Why Beyoncé still runs the world

Celebrity

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

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Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... rose from the ashes

What do the Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, ‘N Sync and Destiny’s Child have in common? They broke up. What they don't have in common? A phoenix. Ok, so not all of these band members have gone completely off the radar, but it’s Beyoncé who rose from the ashes of not just one, but two, breakups to become the musical icon she was born to be. (She did tell us she’s a Survivor.) READ MORE: Kendall Jenner's most eye-catching fashion looks

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... traded lyrics for a script

Not a lot of vocalists can lead a dignified singing and acting career after appearing as Foxxy Cleopatra in Austin Powers: Goldmember, but Beyoncé can! Not only that, but Bey has proven that she’s pretty good at it. Proof? She’s been nominated for both a SAG and Golden Globe for Dreamgirls, in 2006. Yeah, she’s a whole ‘lotta woman. READ MORE: The 12 best cookies in Toronto

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... became an 'Independent Woman'

If we could pinpoint the moment that Queen Bey truly became Queen, we can easily say it was when she split from her royal puppeteers: her parents. While some kids, and even some adults (we’re looking at you LiLo), struggle after parting ways with their momagers, Beyoncé’s career has done the opposite. Since working with designers other than her mother and parting ways with Mathew in 2011, she’s left the nest and is soaring. READ MORE: Is the Duchess of Cambridge "Lazy Katie"? And is she feuding with the Queen?!

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... worked for free

Although, Beyoncé does a large amount of charitable work, she’s not the type to brag about it. In 2008, after filming Cadillac Records as Etta James, who was sadly known for not just her soulful voice but her drug addiction, Beyoncé made the decision to donate her entire $4 million to Phoenix House, an organization that helps rehabilitate heroin addicts in the U.S. READ MORE: 2015 All the celebrity break ups so far

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... relinquished the stage

No one will ever forget the on stage tantrum thrown by Kanye (one of many) as T-Swift beat out Queen Bey and snagged Best Female Video at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Even though Bey seemed slightly amused by it all (we saw the snicker), she later called Swift to the stage to finish her speech while accepting the award for Best Video for "Single Ladies." A gesture that made all of us grab for a tissue. READ MORE: 2015 All the pregnant celebs

Image by: ELLE Canada
By: Sarah Veenstra
Source: Getty

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... became a Democrat

For years, rumours buzzed about Beyoncé being a registered member of the Republican Party... until she opened her Instagram account. Her first post saw her wearing a t-shirt that supported Barack Obama, the Democratic Party leader. Since then, Bey has been spotted hanging out at the White House with her new BFF, first lady Michelle Obama. Every girl has the right to change her mind, and Bey is no exception. READ MORE: 7 unlikely celebrity friendships formed at Comic Con 2015

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... broke records

Most people consider pregnancy to be beautiful… privately beautiful. Beyoncé, true to form, broke this trend during her 2011 MTV Video Awards while performing "Love on Top," and revealed her baby bump. As Bey rubbed her belly, fans were busy making the event the most tweeted about in history, landing a spot in the Guinness World Book of Records at 8,868 tweets per second! READ MORE: Can you handle the cute in the official portraits from Princess Charlotte's christening?

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... let the secret out

In 2013 Beyoncé made music history when she released her fifth album on iTunes without anyone knowing it was coming. It was made in complete secrecy and videos were made for each and every song. Fans went crazy; the album went platinum in six days and to date, is the fastest selling album on iTunes. In the end, Beyoncé wanted to let the music speak for itself – and she didn’t disappoint. READ MORE: Can you buy the dress Kate MIddleton wore to Wimbledon 2015

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... didn't sing live

In 2013 Beyoncé was asked to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at President Obama’s second inauguration. When it was leaked that Bey had sung with a prerecorded track, the press went into a feeding frenzy. A few days later, at a pre Super Bowl conference the Queen asked everyone to stand, giving a live performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” – A CAPPELLA. She not only received a standing ovation from media but turned to them and asked “any questions?” Nope! READ MORE: ELLE First: Brad Pitt's romantic new ink and why you need to hoard your lip liner

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... was one step ahead

Libyan socialist leader Gaddafi isn’t just known for his grade D political efforts, but his show-stopping private family parties. Nobody took notice of these private events, at least before Beyoncé decided to perform at one of the soirees. The music industry was enraged, requesting Queen Bey give back the coin she made, however she’d already donated her earnings to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. READ MORE: ELLE First: A petition against Kanye (boo!) and a first look at Kendall and Kylie's new campaign

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... showed her feminist mystique

Beyoncé’s performance last year at 2014 MTV Video Music Awards was, needless to say, earth-shattering. During the Queen’s rendition of “Flawless” her silhouette was lit only by the word “FEMINIST” sprawled across the screen behind her. The performance may have caused a little bit of controversy but all press is good press, right? READ MORE: ELLE First: Lily-Rose is Chanel's new It girl and Caitlyn Jenner makes her red-carpet debut

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... earned her diva status

In April 2014, Beyoncé once again made history after becoming the highest paid black musician in history, beating out previous icons like Prince, Janet Jackson and even Michael Jackson! The Queen ruled once more as she topped the Forbes Celebrity 100 list that year. Earning $115 million between June 2013 and June 2014, Forbes named her the most influential and powerful celeb of the year. READ MORE: Who runs it? Canadian boss ladies you need to know

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... didn't RSVP

Even though most people would have killed to watch Kimye tie the knot, Queen Bey preferred to be anywhere else in the world. Instead of attending the ceremony of the two A-listers, the Queen and Jay took an impromptu vacay in The Hamptons, despite Jay’s ‘Best Man’ status. The wedding present? Bey sent an eco-friendly wedding card: a ‘congrats’ to the happy couple via Instagram. READ MORE: ELLE First: Sad news for Sienna and Jennifer Lawrence's tattoo fail

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... took a 4 minute selfie

While pop stars have been ridiculed for producing low budget music videos, Beyoncé’s latest video for "7/11" has been critically acclaimed as “revolutionary” and “aspirational.” It was shot in her own home and a hotel room at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel (okay, so maybe it wasn’t super low budget) with nothing but a GoPro and a selfie stick. 222 million YouTube views later and we’re still obsessed. READ MORE: The top 10 Canadian YouTube stars to follow

Image by: ELLE Canada
By: Sarah Veenstra
Source: Instgram.com/beyonce

Why Beyoncé still runs the world

The time Beyoncé... had it all

Whether it's the Grammys, the AMA’s or the BET Awards, Beyoncé doesn’t just receive the awards - she steals the show! Since her breakthrough album in 1997 with Destiny’s Child, Bey has collected over 180 awards including 20 Grammy’s, 16 MTV Video Awards and 13 BET Awards. She’s been nominated more than 500 times and performed live at the star-studded events almost 30 times! For 2015, Woman of the Year goes to… Do we have to say it? READ MORE: ELLE First: Why we love Caitlyn Jenner even more and Chanel expands in Canada